End closure for disposable dust bag



Jan. 28, 1969 s. HUGHES 3,423,907

END CLOSURE FOB DISPOSABLE DUST BAG Filed Aug. 27, 1965 Sheet of 4 FIG.2

Av'AT'roRNEY n- 28, 1969 G. L. HUGHES 3,423,907

END CLOSURE FOR DISPOSABLE DUST BAG Filed Aug. 27, 1965 sheetiof l INENTW W W MTTORNEY Jan. 28, 1969 HUGHES 3,423,907

END CLOSURE FOR DISPOSABLE DUST BAG Filed Aug 27, 1965 INVENTOR 0 M M gBY AgATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1969 G. L. HUCVV-EHES 3,423,907

END CLOSURE FOR DISPOSABLE DUST BAG Filed Aug. 27, 1965 Shee t 4 of 4 6FIG/0 2 I l I I l I I I f V i 3.4 W I I I I I i I I i 1 L F/GBX/V'ATTORNEY United States Patent 10,791/64 US. Cl. 55-367 1m. (:1.B6541 31/14; B01d 29/10 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An endclosure for a dust bag formed by super-imposed outer and inner flexiblesheets, the outer sheet having a single hole coplanar therewith andthrough which dustladen air is introduced into the dust bag, the innersheet having a plurality of cuts therethrough and a plurality ofscorings therein defining two flaps which are integral therewith andcoplanar with the inner sheet and partially severed therefrom, bothflaps when coplanar with the inner sheet extending in oppositedirections toward one another with their outer free edges in abuttingrelation and with both flaps covering the single hole in the outer sheetand also overlying regions of the inner face of the outer sheet aboutthe lhole, and the unsevered scorings in the inner sheet being locatedat opposite sides of the hole in the outer sheet and serving as hingesabout which the flaps swing into the dust bag, both flaps swinging intothe dust bag when force is applied thereto to form a single aperture inthe inner sheet which is coplanar therewith and at least as large as thesingle hole in the outer sheet and in registry therewith.

This invention relates to a dust bag for a vacuum cleaner, the dust bagbeing of the kind which is disposable or thrown away when full, andwhich is self-sealing or normally closed, but can be automaticallyopened either by insertion of the tubular end of the usual flexible hoseof the vacuum cleaner, or by insertion of a tubular member forming partof an end cover of the vacuum cleaner.

It is an object of this invention to provide an end closure for suchdisposable and self-sealing dust bags which is efiicient in operationand yet is relatively inexpensive to produce.

Disposable and self-sealing dust bags are known, for example, of thetype in which a paper dust bag is attached at its open end to a mountingplate provided with a circular hole normally closed by an elasticdiaphragm having a small central hole. When the tubular end of the hoseor other tubular member is pushed through the hole in the mountingplate, the diaphragm is stretched and its small hole greatly enlarged,so that the tubular hose end or member can enter and communicate withthe interior of the dust bag. When the tubular hose end or member iswithdrawn, the diaphragm resumes its normal shape and substantiallycloses the dust bag. This known construction is disadvantageous in thatit is somewhat expensive and does not satisfy the requirement for areally low cost disposable or throw away bag.

According to this invention, a disposable and self-sealing dust bag fora vacuum cleaner comprises an end closure or a mounting plate with ahole for entry of dust and the like, means for automatically closing thehole, and a bag fixed to one face of the mounting plate around the holetherein.

According to a feature of the invention, the end closure or mountingplate of a disposable and self-sealing dust bag comprises two layers ofcardboard or the like each having a central hole, with the central holeof the inner layer being closed by spring-biased flap means and thecentral 3,423,907 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 hole of the outer layer beingof smaller area than that of the inner layer to provide a surroundingabutment zone against which the flap means can bear and thus beprevented from opening outwardly.

According to another important feature of the invention, closing of thecentral hole of the inner cardboard layer is effected by two flaps whichare defined by integrally connected parts formed or out from the innerlayer so as to be swingable inwardly about parallel, spaced fold lines,and such flaps are urged to their closed positions against the abutmentzone surrounding the central hole of the outer layer by means of aone-piece spring. The one-piece spring for urging the flaps to theirclosed positions is preferably of generally U-shaped configuration topresent legs which extend along the fold lines of the flaps and areconnected by a cross-piece anchored between the two adhesively securedtogether layers, and the spring further has arms extending from the freeends of its legs to lie against the surfaces of the flaps facing awayfrom the outer layer, whereby the legs of the spring torsionally resistinward swinging of the flaps from their closed positions.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention,will be apparent in the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment of the invention which is to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner having a dust bagembodying this invention disposed therein, and with the end cover of thevacuum cleaner being shown in its open position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to a portion of FIG. 1,but illustrating the withdrawal of the dust bag, when full, from thevacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary axial sectional view of the vacuumcleaner with the dust bag installed therein;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the several components of adisposable and self-sealing dust bag embodying this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the dust bag assembledfrom the components of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the mounting plate of the dust bag, as viewedfrom the inner side thereof, and with one of the flaps being partlybroken away;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but showing the mountingplate as viewed from the outer side thereof, and with part of the outerlayer being broken away;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the spring forming a part of the mountingplate;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the spring;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a paper blank from which a disposable dust bagis produced;

FIG. 11 is a view of the blank after the pleating thereof;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12 12 on FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13 13 on FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, itwill be seen that a vacuum or suction cleaner 10 for which thedisposable and self-sealing dust bags embodying this invention areintended may be of the tank type comprising a casing 11 having a frontend cover 12 and a rear end cover 13. The casing 11 is provided with ahandle 14 and with Skids 15, as shown, or wheels on which it can bemoved.

The front end cover 12 may be removably secured on the front end of thecasing 11 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated cleaner, the cover12 is hinged to the casing 11 by means of a hinge pin 16 to adapt thefront end cover to swing away from and open the adjacent end of thecasing. The end cover 12 is formed with an air inlet opening 17 (FIG. 3)surrounded by a rearwardly projecting tube 18 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) adaptedto removably receive one end of a suction hose (not shown). The outerfree end of the suction hose is connected to a wand on which suitablecleaning appliances may be detachably mounted.

At the front end of casing 11 there is an annular flange 19 (FIG. 3)which carries a resilient sealing ring or gasket 20. A cloth filter bag21 extends from gasket into casing 11 and is adapted to receive adisposable and self-sealing dust bag 22 embodying this invention whichacts to separate dust and other suspended material from air entering thecasing through the tube 18. The flow of air through the casing 11 iseffected by a motorfan unit (not shown) mounted within the rear endportion of the casing to receive air which passes through the dust bag22 and the cloth filter bag 21 and to discharge the air through an airoutlet opening 23 (FIG. 1).

The end cover 12 is normally held in its closed position (FIG. 3) by alatch mechanism that includes a latch member 24 on the cover and a latchkeeper 25 mounted on the casing 11. As shown, the latch member 24 maycomprise a sheet metal plate pivotally mounted at one end on a pin 26and having a latching detent or catch 27 adjacent its other end. Pin 26is mounted between bosses 28 on cover 12, and a hairpin spring 29surrounds pin 26 and has its legs engaged with a lug 30 on the cover andwith latch member 24 to urge the latter toward its latching position. Anintegral lug extends upwardly from latch member 24 and carries a pushbutton 31 which projects into an opening 32 in cover 12. The latchkeeper 25 may be in the form of a pin extending between spaced lugs 33projecting forwardly from flange 19 of casing 12 and being receivable inlatching detent 27, as shown on FIG. 3. When push button 31 is manuallydepressed, latch member 24 is rocked downwardly and releases keeper 25from detent 27 to permit swinging of cover 12 to its open position, asshown on FIGS. 1 and 2. When cover 12 is moved to its closed position, acurved nose 34 on latch member 24 cams under keeper pin 25 until thelatter is received in detent 27 to hold the cover in its closedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, it will be seen that the dust bag 22generally comprises a paper bag 35 and a mounting plate assembly 36. Thebag 35 is formed of a single sheet of filter paper, as hereinafterdescribed, so as to have walls 37 (FIGS. 4 and 13) joined at one end ofthe bag, as at a fold 38 (FIGS. 4 and 5), and also joined at the sidesof the bag by longitudinal pleats 39. The number of the pleates 39 isnot critical, and is selected in accordance with the permissible airresistance of the total bag surface, taking into account the airpermeability of the paper and its properties in resisting clogging byfine particles of dust. The walls 37 and the pleats 39 at the open endof the bag 35 remote from the fold 38 are splayed outwardly so as topresent a generally flattened end zone 40 (FIGS. 4 and 5) around themouth of the bag at which the latter is adhesively attached to the innersurface of mounting plate assembly 36.

In accordance with this invention, the end closure or mounting plateassembly 36 includes outer and inner flexible sheets 41 and 42 which areboth in the form of discsand may be formed of cardboard, for example.The outer disc or layer 41 has a central round hole 43 (FIGS. 4 and 7)dimensioned to receive the tube 18 of cover 12 and a tab 44 projectingfrom its periphery by which the mounting plate assembly may be graspedwhen effecting manual removal of the dust bag from the vacuum cleaner,as shown on FIG. 2.

The inner cardboard layer or disc 42 has its central region cut alongspaced lines 45 and 46 and along a line 47 connecting the mid-points oflines 45 and 46 (FIG. 6) to define two flaps 48 and 49 which arebendable or swingable about score or fold lines 50 and 51 extendingbetween the ends of lines 45 and 46. As shown on FIG. 6, the hole 43 ofdisc 41 has a smaller area than the opening defined in disc 42 whenflaps 48 and 49 are opened or swung inwardly about score lines 50 and 51so that, when discs 41 and 42 are adhesively secured together, anabutment zone 52 is defined around hole 43 within the area of the flaps48 and 49 to prevent outward opening of the flaps.

The mounting plate assembly 36 further includes a onepiece, generallyU-shaped spring 53 of piano wire or the like which is bent into theconfiguration shown on FIGS. 8 and 9 so as to have legs 54 and 55connected, at one end, by a cross-piece 56, and preferably V-shaped arms57 and 58 extending from the free ends of legs 54 and 55 into the spacebetween the latter. As shown particularly on FIG. 9, the V-shaped arms57 and 58 preferably normally lie in planes that are offset by theangles a, of approximately 10, with respect to the plane containing legs54 and 55 and cross-piece 56, so as to facilitate arrangement of thespring 53 with its legs 54 and 55 extending along the score lines 50 and51 at the outer or front surface of disc 42 and with its V-shaped arms57 and 58 in back of flaps 48 and 49, respectively, as shown on FIG. 6.After spring 53 has been arranged with respect to disc 42, as describedabove, discs 41 and 42 are adhesively secured to each other in faciallyabutting relation, whereby cross-piece 56 of the spring is anchoredbetween the two adhesively secured discs or cardboard layers and therebymaintained in the desired assembled position. When in such assembledposition with arms 57 and 58 lying in back of, or against, the innersurfaces of flaps 48 and 49, it will be apparent that legs 54 and 55 ofthe spring torsionally resist inward swinging of arms 57 and 58 by theflaps and thereby urge the flaps to their closed positions against theabutment zone 52 of disc 41 for closing the opening or hole 43.

The outwardly splayed or flattened zone 40 of paper bag 35 is adhesivelyattached to the back or inner surface of inner disc 42 at the region ofthe latter defined between the dot-dash lines 59 and 60 shown on FIG. 6.In order to facilitate such attachment of the paper bag 35 to themounting plate assembly 36, the inner layer or disc 42 may be cut moreor less along the line 59 so as to form a central section containing theflaps 48 and 49 and a peripheral section constituted by the portion ofdisc 42 disposed outside of line 59.

In the case where the disc 42 is formed of a central section and aperipheral section, as described above, only the central section isinitially attached to disc 41 for securing spring 53 in its assembledposition, and the splayed or flattened zone 40 of paper bag 35 isadhesively attached to the peripheral section of disc 42 prior to theattachment of that peripheral section to disc 41 so as to extend aroundthe previously attached central section.

The method for producing the paper bag 35 will now be described withreference to FIGS. l013.

Starting with a rectangular blank 35a (FIG. 10) of porous paper havingrelatively long sides 61 and relatively short sides 62, such blank isinitially folded, at opposite longitudinal edge zones 63 and 64,successively along lines 65, 66 and 67. This results in the structure35b of FIG. 11 in which sets of pleats 39b extend along the oppositerelatively long sides of the pleated blank. The pleated blank 35b isthen folded along a line 38b which is parallel to, and midway between,the short sides 62. By folding along line 38b, the faces 65 and 66, andthe faces 67 and 68 of the sets of pleats 39!) are brought into abuttingrelationship, in which face 65 is adhesively secured to face 66, andface 67 to face 68. As will be realized, this produces a bag generallysimilar to that shown in FIG. 4, except for the deformed or outwardlysplayed open end. Thus the fold line 38b of FIG. 11 corresponds to thefold 38 of FIG. 4. The bag so produced is clamped in a vise or otherclamping tool, with only the top or open end portion projectingtherefrom, and such projecting portion is then splayed out andflattened, so that it forms the deformed and generally flattened endzone or portion 40 of FIGS. 4 and 5 for adhesive attachment to themounting plate assembly 36, as described above.

When a dust bag 22 embodying this invention is to be installed in vacuumcleaner 10, end cover 12 is opened, as shown on FIG. 1, and paper bag 35is inserted into cloth filter bag 21 until mounting plate assembly 36seats against gasket 20. Thereafter, when cover 12 is moved to itsclosed position, as shown on FIG. 3, tube 18 is projected through hole43 of disc 41 and acts against flaps 48 and 49 to fully open the sameagainst the resistance of spring 53. Further, an annular gasket 69 ontube 18 abuts against mounting plate assembly 36 around opening 43 tohold the plate assembly against gasket 20 and to complete the seal forensuring that all air entering through tube 18 must pass through paperbag 35.

During use of the vacuum cleaner 10, the paper bag 35 gradually becomesfilled with dust and the like and expands accordingly. Although thepleats 39 permit such expansion, the folding of the pleats at the closedend of the bag, at 38, and the attachment of the splayed end portion 40to the rigid mounting plate assembly 36 limit the expansion of thepleats 39 and thus ensure that, when the paper bag 35 is filled, it willnevertheless be easily removable from within the cloth filter bag 21.

When bag 35 is filled, cover 12 is opened, as shown on FIG. 2, towithdraw its tube 18 from the hole 43 of mounting plate assembly 36 andspring 53 then strongly urges flaps 48 and 49 to their closed positionsfor sealing the dust bag 22. The tab 44 may then be grasped to effectremoval of the dust bag 22 as a unit, whereupon a new bag can beinstalled.

It will be apparent that the provision of two flaps 48 and 49 on themounting plate assembly 36 ensures'that such flaps will project arelatively short distance into the bag 35 when in their fully openposition so that the accumulation of dust and the like in the bag, evenwhen filled, does not interfere with the efficient closing of the flapsby the spring 53. Further, the use of a single spring 53 to close bothflaps 48 and 49 simplifies and reduces the cost of the disposable andself-sealing dust bag 22. The described arrangement of spring 53 and itssecure attachment in plate assembly 36 ensures that such spring willefliciently perform its function of closing flaps 48 and 49 without thedanger of tearing the paper bag 35 or damaging the flaps. Finally, thedescribed arrangement of the mounting plate assembly 36 results in adust bag 22 of such low cost as to be truly disposable after use.

In view of the foregoing, it will now be understood that thesuperimposed flexible sheets 41 and 42 define an end closure 36 for thedust bag 35 in which the outer sheet 41 is formed with a single hole 43which is coplanar therewith and through which dust-laden air is adaptedto be introduced into the dust bag 35. The inner sheet 42 has aplurality of cuts 45, 46 and 47 therethrough and a plurality of scorings50 and 51 therein defining the two flaps 48 and 49 which are integralwith the sheet 42 and partially severed therefrom. The flaps 48 and 49are normally cantilevered from the inner sheet 42 and, when coplanartherewith, so arranged that they extend in opposite directions towardone another with their outer free edges in abutting relation and withboth flaps 48 and 49 covering the single hole 43 in the outer sheet 41and also overlying the regions 52 of the inner face of the outer sheet41 about the hole 43.

The unsevered scorings 50 and 51 in the inner sheet 42 are located atopposite sides of the hole 43 in the outer sheet 41 and serve as hingesabout which the flaps 48 and 49 swing into the dust bag 35. As explainedabove,

the flaps are adapted to be forcibly swung into the dust bag 35 to forma single aperture in the inner sheet 42 which is coplanar therewith andat least as large as the single hole 43 in the outer sheet and inregistry therewith.

The flaps 48 and 49 are biased to their positions coplanar with theinner sheet 42 when force is removed therefrom. This is accomplished bythe single bent wire spring 53 of generally U-shaped configuration. Theleg 54 and arm 57 of spring 53 form one elongated bent wire springsection and the leg 55 and arm 58 form another elongated bent wirespring section. The legs 54 and 55 are substantially straight anddisposed at the outer face of the inner sheet 42 in alignment with andalong the unsevered scorings 50 and 51 serving as the hinges. Thecross-piece 56 of the bent spring 53, which is disposed between theouter and inner sheets 41 and 42, functions as means to anchor the endsof the legs 54 and 55 to which the cross-piece 56 is joined. With thisarrangement torsional resistance is developed in the legs 54 and 55 bythe arms 57 and 58 when the flaps 48 and 49 swing into the dust bag 35,the arms functioning in this manner for the reason that they extendalong and bear against the inner surfaces of the flaps.

What is claimed is:

1. An end cover for a dust bag comprising a mounting plate includinginner and outer flexible sheets, said outer sheet having a hole therein,said inner sheet having two flaps cut therefrom and being swingableabout parallel fold lines out of the plane of said inner sheet to definean opening of greater area than said hole, said sheets being fixed toone another about said opening so as to center said hole with respect tosaid opening and thereby expose a portion of said outer sheet at saidopening to constitute an abutment zone preventing outward swinging ofsaid flaps, spring means urging said flaps against said abutment zone toclose said hole, said spring means comprising a single bent wire springof generally U-shaped configuration having legs joined at one end by acrosspiece and arms extending from the free ends of said legs, saidspring being arranged with said legs extending lengthwise of and at thevicinities of said fold lines of the flaps at the outer side of saidinner sheet and said cross piece being anchored between said sheetsfixed to one another, and with the arms of said spring engaging theinner surfaces of said flaps so that inward opening of said flaps istorsionally resisted by said legs.

2. In a disposable, self-sealing dust bag for a vacuum cleaner includinga dust bag which is open at one end; a mounting plate assemblycomprising inner and outer flexible sheets, said outer sheet having acentral hole adapted to receive a tubular member for the entry ofdust-laden air into the bag, said inner sheet having swingable flapmeans cut therefrom to define an opening of greater area than said holeat which a portion of said outer sheet is exposed to form an abutmentZone for limiting outward swinging of said flap means, said flap meanscomprising two flaps swingable about parallel fold lines out of theplane of the remainder of said inner sheet, said inner and outer sheetsbeing fixed to one another about said opening of the inner sheet, saiddust bag having its open end secured to said inner sheet about saidopening, spring means yieldably urging said flaps to closed positionsagainst said abutment Zone so as to close said hole when the tubularmember is withdrawn therefrom, said spring means comprising a singlebent wire spring of generally U-shaped configuration having legs joinedat one end by a cross-piece and arms extending from the free ends ofsaid legs, said spring being arranged with said legs extendinglengthwise of and at the vicinities of said fold lines of the flaps atthe outer side of said inner sheet and said cross-piece anchored betweensaid sheets fixed to one another, and with the arms of said springengaging the inner surfaces of said flaps so that inward opening of saidflaps by the tubular member inserted in said hole is torsionallyresisted by said legs.

3. An end closure for a dust bag comprising (a) superimposed outer andinner flexible sheets,

(b) the outer sheet having a single hole coplanar therewith and throughwhich dust-laden air is adapted to be introduced into the dust bag,

(c) the inner sheet being cut to define two flaps which are integraltherewith and coplanar with the inner sheet and normally cantileveredtherefrom,

(d) both flaps, when in coplanar relation with the inner sheet, beingarranged such that they extend in substantially diametrically oppositedirections toward one another with their outer free edges substantiallyin abutting relation and with both flaps covering the single hole in theouter sheet and also overlying regions of the inner face of the outersheet about the hole, and

(e) both flaps being adapted to be forcibly swung into the dust bag toform a single aperture in the inner sheet which is coplanar therewithand at least as large as the single hole in the outer sheet and inregistry therewith.

4. An end closure for a dust bag comprising (a) superimposed outer andinner flexible sheets,

(b) the outer sheet having a single hole coplanar therewith and throughwhich dust-laden air is adapted to be introduced into the dust bag,

(c) the inner sheet having a plurality of cuts therethrough and aplurality of scorings therein defining two flaps which are integraltherewith and coplanar with the inner sheet and adapted to be partiallysevered from the sheet,

(d) both flaps, when coplanar with the inner sheet, being so arrangedthat they extend in substantially opposite directions toward one anotherwith their outer free edges substantially in abutting relation and withboth flaps covering the single hole in the outer sheet and alsooverlying regions of the inner face of the outer sheet about the hole,

(e) the unsevered scorings in the inner sheet being located at oppositesides of the hole in the outer sheet and serving as hinges about whichthe flaps swing into the dust bag, and

(if) both flaps being adapted to be forcibly swung into the dust bag toform a single aperture in the inner sheet which is coplanar therewithand at least as large as the single hole in the outer sheet and inregistry therewith.

5. An end closure for a dust bag as set forth in claim 4 which includesHARRY B.

BERNARD NOZICK, Assistant Examiner.

(a) a pair of elongated bent wire spring sections, said wire springsections having legs and arms,

(b) the legs being disposed at the outer face of the inner sheet andextending lengthwise of and at the vicinities of the unsevered scoringsserving as the hinges,

(c) the arms being joined to first ends of the legs,

((1) the arms being arranged such that they extend along the innersurfaces of the flaps and, responsive to torsional resistance developedin the legs when the flaps swing into the dust bag, function to bias theflaps to their positions coplanar with the inner sheet when force isremoved from the flaps, and

(e) means for anchoring the opposite second ends of the legs.

6. An end closure for a dust bag as set forth in claim 4 which includes(a) a single bent wire spring of generally U-shaped configuration havinglegs joined at one end by a cross-piece and arms extending from theopposite free ends of the legs,

(b) the bent wire spring being arranged with the legs at the outer faceof the inner sheet and extending lengthwise of and at the vicinities ofthe unsevered scorings serving as the hinges, and

(c) with the cross-piece anchored between the outer and inner sheets andwith (d) the arms disposed at the inner surfaces of the flaps andfunctioning, responsive to torsional resistance developed in the legswhen the flaps swing into the dust bag, to bias the flaps to theirpositions coplanar with the inner sheet when force is removed therefrom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS THORNTON, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R

